Virgin Mobile Reviews

 

 

If you don’t want to read the details, skip straight to our Recommendation

 

Virgin Mobile History

Virgin Mobile is of course the brainchild of the brilliant Sir Richard Branson. With presence around the globe, Virgin Mobile teams up with operators in each locale to execute their brand vision.

The Virgin brand appeared in Canada in 2005 as a joint 50/50 partnership with BCE Inc. (Bell) however in a short span of only 4 years, BCE Inc. purchased the remaining portion of Virgin Mobile which it didn’t own so by 2009, the Virgin Mobile brand was completed owned by Bell.

Bell has continued to operate Virgin Mobile as a separate entity.

 

Virgin Mobile Overview

Virgin Mobile is what we would call a mid-tier mobile carrier and it operates on the Bell Mobility network.

Its main competitors are Koodo and Fido and they refer to their customers as not customers but rather members, offering members a wide array of benefits such as special discounts and VIP experiences.

Since they operate completely separate from Bell, you will see a strong Virgin Mobile retail presence including both retail stores and kiosks as well as availability in multi-carrier retailers.

A number of Virgin Mobile retail stores are what they’ve coined as ‘Service Lounges’ – These stores offer in-person warranty service and can provide you loaner phones if eligible under their warranty service.

 

Virgin Mobile Coverage & Network

Since Virgin Mobile operates on the robust Bell network, it goes without saying that coverage is a solid across the nation. Network strength is not really something to be worried about however if you plan to bring your own phone, you’ll want to ensure it will work on the following frequencies:

• HSPA: 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies
• LTE: 1700/2100 MHz (AWS)
• LTE Advanced (LTE-a): 2600 MHz and 700 MHz

 

Virgin Mobile Coverage

Below is a broad coverage map of the Virgin Mobile network.

As you can see, they already have strong LTE-Advanced coverage in city centres across the nation and we’re sure they’ll continue to invest and strengthen their network.

The Virgin Mobile website has an interactive coverage map located here if you’re interested in putting your address in to see exactly what coverage looks like by your home or office and surrounding area.

 

Virgin Mobile Coverage Map

 

Virgin Mobile Plans

Virgin Mobile offers 6 different tiers of plans and requires that you sign a 2 year agreement.

The tiers are:

• Bring Your Own Phone or Buy One At Full Price
• Silver: Up to $300 off your phone
• Gold: Up to $500 off your phone
• Platinum: Up to $700 off your phone
• Diamond: Up to $900 off your phone
• Diamond Plus: Up to $1000 off your phone

Diamond Plus was introduced as a premium tier plan and while details were not originally available online, we have now added them to the chart below.

Please note the below plan prices may vary in Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

$45 per month
Data: None
Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM
Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $10 for Unlimited Canada MinutesN/AN/AN/AN/A

Plan Type	BYOP	Silver	Gold	Platinum	Diamond	Diamond Plus
$28 per month	Data: 1 GB Minutes: Pay per use + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
$35 per month	Data: None Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $10 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
$50 per month	Data: 1 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
$60 per month	Data: 3 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	Data: 1 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	Data: None Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A	N/A
$65 per month	N/A	N/A	Data: 1 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A
$70 per month	Data: 5 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	Data: 3 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
$75 per month	N/A	N/A	Data: 3 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A
$80 per month	Data: 7 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	Data: 5 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
$85 per month	N/A	N/A	Data: 5 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A
$90 per month	N/A	Data: 7 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
$95 per month	N/A	N/A	Data: 7 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: 500 Canada Wide Minutes + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends from 5 PM to 7 AM Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US or + $5 for Unlimited Canada Minutes	N/A	N/A	N/A
$100 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 1 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A
$110 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 1 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A
$120 per month	Data: 10 GB + 5 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A	Data: 5 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	Data: 3 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	Data: 1 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US
$130 per month	N/A	Data: 10 GB + 5 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A	Data: 5 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	Data: 3 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US
$140 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 7 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	Data: 5 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US
$150 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 7 GB + 3 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US
$165 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 10 GB + 5 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A	N/A
$175 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 10 GB + 5 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US	N/A
$185 per month	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Data: 10 GB + 5 GB Bonus Minutes: Unlimited Canada Wide Minutes Messaging: Unlimited Worldwide Text + Unlimited Picture Messaging to Canada & US

All Plans Include: Call Display & Voicemail myPeeps: Unlimited calling to up to 5 people on the same account

 

Virgin Mobile Member Benefits

So by choosing Virgin Mobile as your carrier, you get to be a ‘Member’ and receive awesome ‘Member’ benefits. What are these benefits though?

Here are just a few of them:

• 2 for 1 movie tickets to Cineplex Theatres
• Up to 20% off at The Source
• Chance to enter for Ottawa Senators tickets, The Nutcracker tickets before it opens to the public, a $200 gift card to The Keg and more
• Up to 25% off at H&M
• $10 off live event tickets from Fanxchange
• 10% off at Pizza Pizza
• 10% off at Freshii

So while many of these so called businesses out there offer us ‘benefits’, the things that Virgin Mobile offers to its members are actually things many of us would probably use!

 

Virgin Mobile Roaming

There seems to be a widespread misconception that since Virgin Mobile operates around the globe, you can use your mobile device internationally in other locales they operate in free of charge.

Unfortunately, that is incorrect. Virgin Mobile roaming works similarly to other mobile carriers. To use your exact plan as you use it at home when traveling:

• US – $8 per day
• International – $12 per day

They also have a slightly cheaper version of the above that caps your data at 100 MB per day.

We suggest going with the above option if you plan to use your data. In addition, they also offer US and International travel passes if you’re looking to pay a flat fee and receive a set amount of talk, text and data.

Overall, they have options for pretty much every type of roaming user.

 

Virgin Mobile Phones

Virgin Mobile offers all of the top tier devices from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Google and Huawei and at one point also offered the special iPhone 8 in red!

Virgin Mobile also accepts trade-ins of all sorts of devices.

If your device is in good, working condition, they pay reasonable amounts for used phones.

The device must power on and be functional at a minimum.

You can use the calculator on their site located here to get an estimate on what your device is worth!

Alternatively, you can also BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone).

So if you already have a phone or if you want to purchase a used one from Kijiji or other online retailers, that will work as well.

They’re based in Toronto, ship the same or next day and offer a 90 day money back guarantee!

 

Virgin Mobile SmartCare for Phones

A nifty little offering from Virgin Mobile allows you to pay either $6 per month or $12 per month, depending on your device and the type of coverage you would like to extend your devices warranty.

In addition, they also offer coverage for liquid and physical damage as well as for lost or stolen devices.

Full details are available here.

 

Recommendation

All in all, Virgin Mobile is a great carrier, winning multiple awards for their stellar customer service.

When it comes to plans, we believe the best value is in bringing your own phone.

However, that may not always be feasible so it’s important to choose the plan where you get most value.

Our side-by-side comparison of their plans above shows you that their $60 per month plan can provide you with 6 GB of data if you bring your own phone, 6 GB if you’re on a Silver plan and no data if you’re on a Gold plan.

You need to understand that you pay more for a phone upfront and less monthly or you pay less for a phone upfront and more monthly.

Look for the right value and balance in how much you pay upfront and how much you increase your monthly plan by just to have a shiny, new phone.

While it’s easy to say lets get a Diamond plan with the largest discount on the device and move forward, keep in mind you’ll be paying that large monthly amount for a long time and someone that choose a BYOP plan is probably paying half the amount you are for the same service.

1. Strong network as they use the Bell infrastructure
2. Member Benefits provide discounts and VIP experiences not available to the general public which is a nice perk
3. SmartCare offering to extend your warranty and protect against loss or theft of your device

Any downsides?

1. Contracts – We’re all familiar with this one – Virgin Mobile still requires you to sign a 2 year contract.Be sure you’re committed, otherwise you end up paying Early Cancellation Fees for which you get no value

 

Other Trusted Mobile Carriers

 

Koodo

Koodo has been rated as one of the best customer service companies in Canada. If you need assistance with your phone or account, Koodo is definitely a company you can trust. So be at ease that you’re getting the best, and not the worst customer service, which is what we often do get with others.

Chatr

Chatr offers fast data speeds, reaching up to 3G speeds. This makes Chatr a great choice for anyone looking for a fast and reliable connection. Whether you’re browsing the internet, streaming music or videos, or just need to stay connected with friends and family, Chatr has you covered.

Public Mobile

Public Mobile is Canada’s newest wireless carrier, and it’s also the cheapest.  Public Mobile’s 3G speed is only 3mbps which may not sound very fast, but it’s still fast enough for most people to stream high-quality audio without any problems. Public Mobile isn’t as well-known as some major carriers, but with low prices, it’s sure to attract many new customers.

Lucky Mobile

Lucky Mobile is a subsidiary of Bell Canada and operates on the Bell network. Lucky Mobile is good in Canada because it has low rates, good coverage, and the ability to bring your own phone. Lucky Mobile is a prepaid service, so there are no contracts and no surprises. You can buy a Lucky Mobile SIM card at most convenience stores or order one online.

Freedom Mobile

Since Freedom Mobile is a new entrant into the space and competing with the Big 3 Carriers is no easy task, it seems like they are using lower price points as a tactic to help increase the number of subscribers. The lower price does not relate to the quality of the network by any means, as Freedom Mobile is heavily investing in bettering its network.

Virgin Mobile FAQs